Levothyroxine reaction

[griffer]

I was diagnosed last week with hypothyroid; TSH was 19.3.   Started on Friday on levothyroxine, 50mg.  the first day and all four days have had severe headache; the pain goes into the back of my neck.  In addition, I am dizzy; not 100% of the time, but most often when getting up suddenly, or moving around. The doctor told me to stop taking the Rx for four days and see if the symptoms stop.  They seem to be dissipating after a day.  What is different in the generic to the brand name that causes more reactions in people, and are mine common.

[griffer]

Thanks so much for  your comments. How great to finally figure out what is wrong with me, and then find a community with the same challenges, concerns, etc.   I intend on Friday to ask for brand name, and will take the suggestions to start on it slower.   I should know better - I am allergic to most antibiotics, so it only stands to reason I would have an issue with this.  I think the posts are making it clear that no one has the same issues, and you have to be patient while determining what works best for you.  

[sick and tired 47]

Hi! I saw your post and wanted to responnd to that too...My endo will only prescribe brand thyroid (I take synthyroid) ..She says there is to much fluctuation in fillers and doseage in generics. I take synthyroid and only had insomnia (? from synthyroid). My advice is same as previous post... I think you started way to high to quickly... Start very slowly and see if you don't feel better. Our bodies are not used to having this and then BAM it is flooded with the meds and terrible side effects can happen. Sometime we have to change brands but if we ease into the meds it goes so much better.
  I understand., I too am so impatient to feel better!!

[sick and tired 47]

Hi ! I responded to your other post on heart palps and tachycardia. I have them alot!!! And you said you are sensitive to meds.. well me too. I really have a been time with some antibiotics and can not  take any caffine, dark chocoate, sudafed,ect.
  When I started the synthyroid I started VERY slowly, ( endo agreed). I split a 25mcg pill for two weeks, taking one half ( 12.5mcgs), then 25 mcg for two weeks, then 37.5 mcg for two weeks, ect...It worked very well for me and with each doseage increase I felt fewer palps, and tachycardia.
   Unfortunately I talked my endo into trying Armour ( it has T3) and my heart went CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was terrible, so now I am back restarting synthyroid at 12.5 because she thinks it made me hyper... and all I know is I don't want to do that again. It was bad..bad..bad!
  I wish you well and advise you to go slowly, you will feel better in the end. And I hope as you increase your dose your heart palps fade too. I have anxiety which I NEVER had before with this hypothyroid issue. It also greatly improved as my dose increased... and now that I am back to the bottom dose it has reared its ugly head. I want to feel better fast,, but have learned to stick with what works.
  Hope this helps you and someone else out there. Good lluck, post on your progress.
  

[hcurrie]

well i started three weeks ago and thought i would go crazy for three days - asked the doc and she said stop so i did two days and hypo got very worse so she said restart so  i started myself back on with a 1/4 of a pill for four days then 1/2 a pill now 3/4 of a pill this is only 50mcg by the way i am very sensitive to meds so this is best for me i think - it is going bad but not as bad as the whole pill was. i bought a pill splitter from walmart two bucks but i think its helping - when i add more i do get crabby for a day or two, the whole thing is worse than before the meds - dizzy weak headaches heart palps etc. trying to stick with it to see if it gets better in a few weeks....